EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- LaMichael James ran for 219 yards and three
touchdowns and No. 8 Oregon beat UCLA 49-31 in the inaugural Pac-12
championship game Friday night for the Ducks' third straight conference
title and a berth in the Rose Bowl.

Rick Neuheisel tipped his hat to the UCLA fans in his last game as
coach. The former Bruins quarterback was fired this week after four
seasons with his alma mater.

While the Bruins (6-7) played with passion for their outgoing coach
and kept it closer than many thought they would, it was not enough to
overcome the Ducks (11-2), who head to a BCS bowl for the third straight
season.

James became the first rusher in Pac-12 history with three straight
1,500-yard seasons. He moved into a tie with USC's LenDale White
(2003-05) for second on the league's career rushing TD list with 52.

His dismissal was part of a wave of coaching moves in the conference.
Around the time Neuheisel's dismissal was announced, Arizona State let
go of Dennis Erickson. Washington State parted ways with Paul Wulff,
then quickly hired former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach a day later.

Oregon will play the winner of the first Big 10 championship game
Saturday between No. 11 Michigan State and No. 15 Wisconsin in the Rose
Bowl on Jan. 2.

The heavily favored Ducks scored on their first series when James ran
30 yards for a touchdown. James went into the game as the nation's top
running back with an average of 142.7 yards per game.

UCLA tied it when linebacker Patrick Larimore intercepted Thomas and
ran 35 yards for a touchdown. Neuheisel pumped his first in celebration.

Thomas scored on a 10-yard keeper and then found true freshman tight
end Colt Lyerla alone in the end zone with a 7-yard scoring pass to make
it 21-7.

UCLA narrowed it with Prince's flea-flicker to Nelson Rosario for a 37-yard touchdown.

Oregon was stung early in the game when dynamic true freshman
De'Anthony Thomas fumbled after a hit by Tevin McDonald. Shaken up on
the play, the versatile running back who earlier this week was named the
Pac-12's co-freshman of the year on offense did not return.

James added a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 28-14 before Darron
Thomas connected with Daryle Hawkins for a 25-yard TD reception.

UCLA's Tyler Gonzalez kicked a 44-yard field goal to make it 37-17 at halftime.

Prince scored on a 1-yard run early in the third quarter to pull UCLA
closer to the Ducks, but James answered with a 5-yard TD dash to make
it 42-24.

A Heisman Trophy finalist last season as a sophomore, James fell out
of the running for the most part this season because he missed two games
with a dislocated right elbow.

David Paulson caught a 22-yard touchdown pass midway through the
third, which put Darron Thomas in front of Danny O'Neil (1991-94) for
most passing TDs at Oregon.

Rosario pulled down a one-handed, 19-yard touchdown pass from Prince
with less than two minutes to play. Prince completed 13 of 26 passes for
164 yards and two touchdowns.

The addition of Colorado and Utah to the Pac-12 paved the way for a
league championship game this season. In previous years, the team with
the best conference record claimed the title.

While No. 9 USC (10-2, 7-2) finished atop the Pac-12 South, the
Trojans are ineligible to play in the postseason because of NCAA
sanctions, which put UCLA in the title game.

This week, the NCAA ruled that the Bruins could accept a bowl
invitation even if they lost Friday. Because of Neuheisel's dismissal,
offensive coordinator Mike Johnson will take over if UCLA is selected.

The Bruins have reached just one bowl game in the past three seasons.
Athletic director Dan Guerrero said he wants to reward the Bruins' 18
seniors by going to a bowl even while the program is in upheaval.

Oregon went to the 2010 Rose Bowl in its first season under coach
Chip Kelly, losing to Ohio State. Last season the Ducks went to the BCS
championship, where they fell to Auburn.

Oregon had appeared to be in the running for another shot at the
national championship game before losing 38-35 to USC at Autzen Stadium
on Nov. 19.

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